Aetna Schmaetna

[Accidental Retiree]

They just raised my rates earlier this year, and today I got another rate increase notification. Because California will be requiring that all insurance plans provide coverage for autism and maternity, as of July 2012, I get to pay an additional $12.00/month.

When I was shopping for individual insurance, I looked specifically for plans that did not include maternity coverage, of course.

And now I gotta pay for it anyway.

It's not a lot of money, but it still annoys me. I can, of course, purchase another plan, but I may be subjected to another underwriting phone call, unless I've been covered by Aetna for 18 months. I don't think I'll quite be there by July 1.

Well, I guess if the young 'uns can contribute to my Social Security and Medicare, I can pay for their babies and any subsequent treatments for disorders in the autism spectrum, which I hear has become diagnosed more and more frequently.

 

[MikeD]

That kinda sounds like it's California's fault to me. They made the rules. Aetna has to follow them I think and it costs them money.

Mike D.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

Yes, CA made the rule. However, since Aetna charges higher rates the older we get, because of potential health costs, then I think they ought to take a look at putting the costs of maternity and children within the autistic spectrum into a more age-appropriate group and leave the higher ages out!

 

[Donzo]

My family coverage with Aetna went up $124.00 because of this....I am not a happy camper. Aetna has tripled my premium in the 6 years I have been retired. What is the breaking point??

 

[Accidental Retiree]

When my husband and I were looking at relocating to Oregon, I learned that he would be insured by Oregon's high-risk pool simply because he has a pre-existing condition (T2 diabetes). Not with Aetna, as they don't insure there.

We could both be covered with better coverage for about half of what we pay in CA, and we wouldn't have a waiting period.

Maybe we need to take another look!

 

[JPatrick]

More guvmint gone wild...

 

[dgoldenz]

I'm surprised your rate only went up by $12. Adding maternity as a mandated benefit usually increases premiums across the board by 5-15% depending on the state and plan design. Ask anyone in Colorado...

 

[Accidental Retiree]

My family coverage with Aetna went up $124.00 because of this....I am not a happy camper. Aetna has tripled my premium in the 6 years I have been retired. What is the breaking point??

That is just crazy!

 

[Donzo]

That is just crazy!

It is. They have been raising it 2-3 times a year. They say the rising cost of healthcare is the issue. My family has been healthy and had no claims - this system just is not working...we are now paying over $1000. per month for a $5,000 deductible - I will consider switching to a $10,000 deductible HSA if the savings are good enough.
I've got 10 years til medicare at this rate of inflation -- I'm gonna have to move to Canada!

 

[dgoldenz]

It is. They have been raising it 2-3 times a year. They say the rising cost of healthcare is the issue. My family has been healthy and had no claims - this system just is not working...we are now paying over $1000. per month for a $5,000 deductible - I will consider switching to a $10,000 deductible HSA if the savings are good enough.
I've got 10 years til medicare at this rate of inflation -- I'm gonna have to move to Canada!

You could also try VA or OH....dirt cheap health insurance.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

From my understanding of what I have read, Colorado and Oregon both have state high-risk pools that would insure my husband right away and at 40-50% the cost of CA Aetna premiums for better coverage and more choice of plans.

This all has been very educational.